This then is the
message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light,
and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him,
and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the
light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the
blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
What is at stake in this passage? The focal words of this
text are a contrast of “light”
and “darkness,” and the possession of “fellowship with God” in relation to that “light and darkness.” Let’s peel apart what this is meaning. Light and darkness can be simply understood from the context in verse 5, the main message of Christ, God is “light,” and He has no “darkness.” If we walk away thinking this anything to do with light bulbs we have completely missed the point of the text. Jesus says in John 3, that the ones that do evil “dwell in darkness,” those that do what is right draw towards “the light.” The contrast is between doing what is right and holy, or sinning. Verse 5 basically says, “God is perfect and sinless, and he has no wrong.” Therefore, verse 6 says if we do what is wrong, then how can we have “fellowship” with Him? If He truly is pure and holy, and He is, then sinful creatures cannot come to Him and have a good and right relationship. Furthermore, if they are sinning and say that they are having any type of relationship with God, they are deceiving themselves and lying. Fellowship with God can only happen when we are no longer living in the darkness of unrepentant sin. It is not that God is totally inaccessible, it is just that He doesn’t allow sinfulness to come before Him. This is why verse 7 is so important. Since we all dwell in “darkness,” we cannot of our own “dark” accord access the God Who epitomizes “light.” But thankfully, it doesn’t end there. Rather, Jesus lived perfectly in the “light,” and now through Himself offers us access to God. If we have put our faith in the work that Jesus accomplished and repent of our sins, we can have access to the God of all things. Before, we stood condemned, in darkness, but now, because of Jesus we can have access to God. “Fellowship” with the God of the Universe can take place, because Jesus cleanses us from the darkness of our sin.
and “darkness,” and the possession of “fellowship with God” in relation to that “light and darkness.” Let’s peel apart what this is meaning. Light and darkness can be simply understood from the context in verse 5, the main message of Christ, God is “light,” and He has no “darkness.” If we walk away thinking this anything to do with light bulbs we have completely missed the point of the text. Jesus says in John 3, that the ones that do evil “dwell in darkness,” those that do what is right draw towards “the light.” The contrast is between doing what is right and holy, or sinning. Verse 5 basically says, “God is perfect and sinless, and he has no wrong.” Therefore, verse 6 says if we do what is wrong, then how can we have “fellowship” with Him? If He truly is pure and holy, and He is, then sinful creatures cannot come to Him and have a good and right relationship. Furthermore, if they are sinning and say that they are having any type of relationship with God, they are deceiving themselves and lying. Fellowship with God can only happen when we are no longer living in the darkness of unrepentant sin. It is not that God is totally inaccessible, it is just that He doesn’t allow sinfulness to come before Him. This is why verse 7 is so important. Since we all dwell in “darkness,” we cannot of our own “dark” accord access the God Who epitomizes “light.” But thankfully, it doesn’t end there. Rather, Jesus lived perfectly in the “light,” and now through Himself offers us access to God. If we have put our faith in the work that Jesus accomplished and repent of our sins, we can have access to the God of all things. Before, we stood condemned, in darkness, but now, because of Jesus we can have access to God. “Fellowship” with the God of the Universe can take place, because Jesus cleanses us from the darkness of our sin.
Food For Thought: Why
do you think that God uses the terms “light” and “darkness” to describe the two
opposing sides of “holiness” and “sinfulness”?
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